About us
Welcome to Astris Advisory Japan
Our goal is to build strong partnerships with our clients based on trust, understanding, and shared goals.
Whether you are an existing client reviewing our services, or a new potential client looking to find out more about Astris Advisory, please explore our website for more information.
We have a clear vision of who we are in Japan – a premium offering across the corporate advisory, M&A, investment research, and placement agency businesses. We are client-focused, servicing a select group of companies, institutions, and funds.
Since our founding in the Summer of 2018, our business has continued to grow. We are now a team of over 30 people across 4 different businesses and backed by 5 financial licenses.
Our business can be largely broken down into two main themes – outbound - connecting Japanese corporates with the international investment community as well as inbound – helping international investors, funds and companies make meaningful connections in Japan.
We believe strongly that Japan remains a fantastic place to do business and we are your gateway here.
David Shirt
Chief Executive Officer
Astris Advisory Japan K.K.
Our people
David Shirt
Chief Executive OfficerDavid has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at ...
David has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at institutions such as JP Morgan Securities, Jefferies Japan, and lately Macquarie Capital Securities Japan Limited.
In 2004 he became Head of Sales at JP Morgan Securities in Japan and Head of Equity in 2009. Later in 2014, David became the Branch Manager and Representative for Jefferies Japan, and from 2015 onwards he was employed as Country Head of Macquarie Capital Securities, (Japan) Limited.
David majored in Japanese at the University of Sheffield in the UK and is proficient in Japanese.
Tom Wilson
Chief Financial OfficerTom has worked as an accountant in the financial services industry in Tokyo for more than 20 years. Initially coming to ...
Tom has worked as an accountant in the financial services industry in Tokyo for more than 20 years.
Initially coming to Japan for a role at Lehman Brothers, he then worked at Deutsche Bank and most recently at MetLife Insurance. He has held various senior finance roles in controlling, financial planning & analysis, and project management.
Tom is a qualified accountant (CPA Australia) and is proficient in Japanese.
Paula Sugawara
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Human Resources OfficerPaula has spent over 30 years in Japan working mainly in financial services. She served as an equity analyst at Nomura ...
Paula has spent over 30 years in Japan working mainly in financial services.
She served as an equity analyst at Nomura Securities, Lehman Brothers, and Goldman Sachs before transitioning to the buy-side with Fidelity Investments.
In the latter half of her career, Paula held management positions, including country manager of Bridge Partnership's talent development and Lee Hecht Harrison's outplacement and organizational development.
Paula's primary focus is to drive the expansion of our talent base and implement a range of structures to support our growing organization.
Haruhiko Mutaguchi
Chief Compliance OfficerHaruhiko has over 15 years of work experience in the field of financial regulation. He worked in financial derivative ...
Haruhiko has over 15 years of work experience in the field of financial regulation.
He worked in financial derivative products and stock trading at financial companies such as WestLB and Salomon Brothers Asia. He then gained experience in system development and project management at an IBM affiliated systems company, and worked as a systems consultant at Accenture. He has also worked as an external auditor and SOX and J-SOX system audit advisor at PwC and KPMG, utilizing his practical knowledge and experience.
Based on this practical experience, he worked at several internet securities companies, establishing internal audit departments and promoting compliance at global companies, while maintaining good relationships with domestic financial authorities and taking charge of compliance department operations.
Shinobu Kozono
Office ManagerShinobu has over 10 years of experience as an Office Manager in the financial services industry. She provides a smooth work ...
Shinobu has over 10 years of experience as an Office Manager in the financial services industry. She provides a smooth work environment through a wide range of back-office operations, including general affairs, human resources, and accounting.
Business development
Hans Tiedemann
Head of Business DevelopmentHans worked at Nikko Securities and James Capel before heading Morgan Stanley Tokyo's foreign equity and warrants sales ...
Hans worked at Nikko Securities and James Capel before heading Morgan Stanley Tokyo's foreign equity and warrants sales desk. Additionally, he founded Tiedemann International Research, Asia's largest distributor of independent research, and later sold it to ETrade. Hans was also the President of Tiedemann Investment Group, a listed distributor and seed investor in global hedge funds. He has deep experience as a founder and investor in numerous businesses, including Globevest and CF Global.
Hans focuses on fund distribution, product sourcing, and new business development.
Corporate Advisory
David Greenhalgh
Head of Corporate AdvisoryDavid started his career qualifying as a Chartered accountant at Arthur Anderson before becoming a portfolio manager. He has ...
David started his career qualifying as a Chartered accountant at Arthur Anderson before becoming a portfolio manager.
He has over two decades of experience as a Portfolio Manager. Starting his career running a portfolio in the Japanese team at Janus Henderson, before gaining experience with the global technology team.
He then moved to ADIA, where he spent 13 years in the UAE, initially working on the Asia and Japanese portfolios before being promoted to lead the Japanese team, which he successfully managed for 8 years.
Hiroshi Kamide
Head of Corporate ResearchFor over two decades, Hiroshi has excelled as an esteemed analyst and director in Japan and the U.K. He was a ranked equity ...
For over two decades, Hiroshi has excelled as an esteemed analyst and director in Japan and the U.K.
He was a ranked equity analyst at KBC Securities Japan and JPMorgan Securities in Tokyo, covering Japanese tech stocks. In London, he worked in Pan-Asian equity sales at Daiwa Capital Markets. Then he switched to the buy-side as an analyst at a thematic robotics and automation fund, and co-founded a global high-quality franchise fund.
Qualifying at KPMG, Hiroshi is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Tim Williams
Head of Investor Relations TeamTim has worked in investment banking for over 15 years in the UK and Japan. He has held positions in sales in Japanese ...
Tim has worked in investment banking for over 15 years in the UK and Japan.
He has held positions in sales in Japanese equities at companies such as Daiwa, Morgan Stanley, and Mizuho as well as roles within the research department. He has covered Japan specialist clients and global institutional accounts in Europe, with a focus on Japanese small-cap stocks.
Tim lived in Japan for over 12 years and reads and speaks Japanese fluently.
Mike Lynch
Head of North AmericaMike has over 25 years of experience in the global financial markets, following more than a decade in technology product ...
Mike has over 25 years of experience in the global financial markets, following more than a decade in technology product development.
Mike leveraged his technology background to become a leading sector analyst, then transitioned into broader roles in Asian-focused equity sales and capital markets. His experience encompasses advisory services, capital raising, sales leadership, and general business development. He has worked on the sell side with Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley, and has buy-side experience as a Chief Compliance Officer and fund marketer.
Mike has traveled extensively and has lived and worked in New York, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Miami.
Richard Whitehurst
Head of PublicationsRichard has over three decades of experience in the Japanese financial markets, most of which was spent in Tokyo. He began ...
Richard has over three decades of experience in the Japanese financial markets, most of which was spent in Tokyo.
He began his career as an equity research analyst, primarily covering the transportation sector, as well as a variety of other industries. He also has experience in sales and corporate access, where he served as head of a team. He has worked at major institutions including JP Morgan, Merrill Lynch, UBS, and Citigroup.
Richard is fluent in Japanese and has a degree in Oriental Studies (Japanese) from the University of Oxford.
Jeremy Poon
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Jeremy brings over a decade of experience in financial services to Astris. Before joining ...
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Jeremy brings over a decade of experience in financial services to Astris. Before joining the firm, he spent five years in Equity Research at RBC Capital Markets, covering the North American financial sector. Before that, he was with Raymond James, focusing on mining sector research.
Jeremy began his career as an auditor with PwC in Canada, where he qualified as a CPA. He is also a CFA charterholder.
Fraser Nicholas
Fraser is originally from New Zealand and has spent the last 5 years working in Japan. He began his career as a consultant ...
Fraser is originally from New Zealand and has spent the last 5 years working in Japan.
He began his career as a consultant supporting financial institutions in their search for talent. Later, as a Partner at JAC Group, he played a key role in advancing the company's global outreach and growth. Currently, Fraser serves as our VP of Customer Relationships, where he leverages his network and outreach to support our company’s growth and client base.
Fraser holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance from the University of Auckland and is proficient in Japanese and Mandarin.
Qi An
Qi has 8 years of experience in the equity market. She was a buyside analyst conducting fundamental research covering Pan ...
Qi has 8 years of experience in the equity market. She was a buyside analyst conducting fundamental research covering Pan Asia at the independent asset manager SPARX Group for approximately 5 years. Before that, she began her career with Rakuten Securities, an online brokerage firm, where she was responsible for trade promotions.
Qi has a master’s degree from University of Tokyo, she is also a CFA Charterholder and fluent in Chinse, English and Japanese.
Financial Advisory
Hiroyuki Yokoyama
Head of Financial AdvisoryHiroyuki has been working extensively in financial markets, both domestic and offshore, for over 25 years. During his 10 ...
Hiroyuki has been working extensively in financial markets, both domestic and offshore, for over 25 years.
During his 10 years working at Macquarie Japan, where he collaborated closely with the founders of Astris Advisory Japan, he proactively sought business/cross-selling opportunities in the areas of cash equity sales and ECM-related businesses. He also worked for CLSA Japan, ABN AMRO, and Deutsche Bank, both in Australia and in London.
Hiroyuki can work with both domestic and offshore asset managers, pension funds, institutions, and corporates to provide any financial services required.
David Shirt
Chief Executive OfficerDavid has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at ...
David has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at institutions such as JP Morgan Securities, Jefferies Japan, and lately Macquarie Capital Securities Japan Limited.
In 2004 he became Head of Sales at JP Morgan Securities in Japan and Head of Equity in 2009. Later in 2014, David became the Branch Manager and Representative for Jefferies Japan, and from 2015 onwards he was employed as Country Head of Macquarie Capital Securities, (Japan) Limited.
David majored in Japanese at the University of Sheffield in the UK and is proficient in Japanese.
David Shirt
Chief Executive OfficerDavid has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at ...
David has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at institutions such as JP Morgan Securities, Jefferies Japan, and lately Macquarie Capital Securities Japan Limited.
In 2004 he became Head of Sales at JP Morgan Securities in Japan and Head of Equity in 2009. Later in 2014, David became the Branch Manager and Representative for Jefferies Japan, and from 2015 onwards he was employed as Country Head of Macquarie Capital Securities, (Japan) Limited.
David majored in Japanese at the University of Sheffield in the UK and is proficient in Japanese.
David Shirt
Chief Executive OfficerDavid has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at ...
David has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at institutions such as JP Morgan Securities, Jefferies Japan, and lately Macquarie Capital Securities Japan Limited.
In 2004 he became Head of Sales at JP Morgan Securities in Japan and Head of Equity in 2009. Later in 2014, David became the Branch Manager and Representative for Jefferies Japan, and from 2015 onwards he was employed as Country Head of Macquarie Capital Securities, (Japan) Limited.
David majored in Japanese at the University of Sheffield in the UK and is proficient in Japanese.
David Shirt
Chief Executive OfficerDavid has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at ...
David has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at institutions such as JP Morgan Securities, Jefferies Japan, and lately Macquarie Capital Securities Japan Limited.
In 2004 he became Head of Sales at JP Morgan Securities in Japan and Head of Equity in 2009. Later in 2014, David became the Branch Manager and Representative for Jefferies Japan, and from 2015 onwards he was employed as Country Head of Macquarie Capital Securities, (Japan) Limited.
David majored in Japanese at the University of Sheffield in the UK and is proficient in Japanese.
Investment advisory
David Shirt
Chief Executive OfficerDavid has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at ...
David has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at institutions such as JP Morgan Securities, Jefferies Japan, and lately Macquarie Capital Securities Japan Limited.
In 2004 he became Head of Sales at JP Morgan Securities in Japan and Head of Equity in 2009. Later in 2014, David became the Branch Manager and Representative for Jefferies Japan, and from 2015 onwards he was employed as Country Head of Macquarie Capital Securities, (Japan) Limited.
David majored in Japanese at the University of Sheffield in the UK and is proficient in Japanese.
David Shirt
Chief Executive OfficerDavid has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at ...
David has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at institutions such as JP Morgan Securities, Jefferies Japan, and lately Macquarie Capital Securities Japan Limited.
In 2004 he became Head of Sales at JP Morgan Securities in Japan and Head of Equity in 2009. Later in 2014, David became the Branch Manager and Representative for Jefferies Japan, and from 2015 onwards he was employed as Country Head of Macquarie Capital Securities, (Japan) Limited.
David majored in Japanese at the University of Sheffield in the UK and is proficient in Japanese.
David Shirt
Chief Executive OfficerDavid has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at ...
David has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at institutions such as JP Morgan Securities, Jefferies Japan, and lately Macquarie Capital Securities Japan Limited.
In 2004 he became Head of Sales at JP Morgan Securities in Japan and Head of Equity in 2009. Later in 2014, David became the Branch Manager and Representative for Jefferies Japan, and from 2015 onwards he was employed as Country Head of Macquarie Capital Securities, (Japan) Limited.
David majored in Japanese at the University of Sheffield in the UK and is proficient in Japanese.
David Shirt
Chief Executive OfficerDavid has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at ...
David has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at institutions such as JP Morgan Securities, Jefferies Japan, and lately Macquarie Capital Securities Japan Limited.
In 2004 he became Head of Sales at JP Morgan Securities in Japan and Head of Equity in 2009. Later in 2014, David became the Branch Manager and Representative for Jefferies Japan, and from 2015 onwards he was employed as Country Head of Macquarie Capital Securities, (Japan) Limited.
David majored in Japanese at the University of Sheffield in the UK and is proficient in Japanese.
David Shirt
Chief Executive OfficerDavid has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at ...
David has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at institutions such as JP Morgan Securities, Jefferies Japan, and lately Macquarie Capital Securities Japan Limited.
In 2004 he became Head of Sales at JP Morgan Securities in Japan and Head of Equity in 2009. Later in 2014, David became the Branch Manager and Representative for Jefferies Japan, and from 2015 onwards he was employed as Country Head of Macquarie Capital Securities, (Japan) Limited.
David majored in Japanese at the University of Sheffield in the UK and is proficient in Japanese.
David Shirt
Chief Executive OfficerDavid has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at ...
David has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at institutions such as JP Morgan Securities, Jefferies Japan, and lately Macquarie Capital Securities Japan Limited.
In 2004 he became Head of Sales at JP Morgan Securities in Japan and Head of Equity in 2009. Later in 2014, David became the Branch Manager and Representative for Jefferies Japan, and from 2015 onwards he was employed as Country Head of Macquarie Capital Securities, (Japan) Limited.
David majored in Japanese at the University of Sheffield in the UK and is proficient in Japanese.
M&A advisory and Structured products
David Shirt
Chief Executive OfficerDavid has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at ...
David has been in Japan for a total of 18 of the last 25 years and has worked in the equity market throughout at institutions such as JP Morgan Securities, Jefferies Japan, and lately Macquarie Capital Securities Japan Limited.
In 2004 he became Head of Sales at JP Morgan Securities in Japan and Head of Equity in 2009. Later in 2014, David became the Branch Manager and Representative for Jefferies Japan, and from 2015 onwards he was employed as Country Head of Macquarie Capital Securities, (Japan) Limited.
David majored in Japanese at the University of Sheffield in the UK and is proficient in Japanese.
Company overview
Company name
Astris Advisory Japan K.K.
Head office
FinGATE Kabuto 3F, 6-5 Nihonbashi Kabuto-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0026, Japan
Capital
¥384 million (as of December 2, 2024)
Established
July 2018
Business activities
Corporate Advisory, Financial Advisory, Investment Advisory, M&A Advisory, Inbound IR
Member of
- Type II Financial Instruments Firms Association
- Japan Investment Advisers Association
Representative
David Shirt, CEO
Astris Advisory Japan K.K. is registered as a Financial Instruments Business Operator with Kanto Local Finance Bureau No. 3111, to conduct Investment Advisory & Agency Business and Type 2 Financial Instruments Businesses.
Additionally, we are registered as a Financial Instrument Intermediary Operator with Kanto Local Finance Bureau No. 974, where our affiliated Financial Instrument Business operator is Tachibana Securities Co. Ltd.
Culture
At Astris Advisory, we work in a true partnership with our clients and each other. Collaboration is at the heart of how we operate. As a growing business with ambitious goals, we take pride in a collegiate culture where everyone pulls together to deliver the best outcomes for our clients and team.
We’re committed to the highest ethical and professional standards, guided by a strong internal culture that shapes everything we do. Our values aren't just words on a wall; they define how we work, how we support each other, and how we build lasting, trusting relationships.
Giving back
Giving back to the community is incredibly important and we aim to further our efforts every year.
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Cyclists from the event - Scott Anderson (Lazard) and Tris Fenwick (J-Screen).
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Astris Advisory continues to be a supporter of FIT for Charity. FIT for Charity is a joint effort of the financial industry to make a difference by raising money for charity, contributing positively to the community, fostering teamwork and building relationships within the company and across the industry.
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Through the cycling group Knights in White Lycra, our CEO, David Shirt, has cycled 500km around Japan in 2022 and 2023, to raise money for charity.
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Astris Advisory supports Mirai no Mori, a non-profit organization that creates life-changing outdoor programs for underprivileged children in Japan, helping them grow into successful young adults.
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In 2023 we were a lead sponsor of the ride from Utsunomiya to Koriyama to Fukushima to Matsushima to Ichinoseki.
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As a platinum sponsor of the 10th anniversary charity cycling event "Knights in White Lycra", we are honored to support the wonderful activities of NPO Mirai no Mori and Knights in White Lycra.
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Pictured with David Shirt on the final day of the ride this year is Julia Longbottom, the British Ambassador.
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